Welcome
We at Orange County Speech Services are committed to providing top quality behavioral therapy (ABA), speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy to our clients, their families and the Southern California medical community.
Our Team
Speech Therapists
Elizabeth Mitchell
M.S., SLP, Director OC Speech Services (Speech Therapist)
Elizabeth received a Bachelor of Arts at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in Interdisciplinary Studies (Psychology, Linguistics and Speech & Hearing Science) in 2002, and her Masters of Science in Speech Pathology in 2005 from Cal State University, Northridge. She has specialized training and certificates including Stanley Greenspan’s DIR/Floortime therapy approach, the Lindamood-Bell Advanced workshops in auditory comprehension and Visualizing to Verbalizing, Beckman Oral Motor Program techniques, and PROMPT therapy training.
Elizabeth began her career in a pediatric outpatient hospital setting co-treating with physical and occupational therapists, and has worked extensively in the public school system and in early intervention with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and a variety of deficits in articulation, oral motor, feeding, auditory processing, reading, social/pragmatics and expressive and receptive language.
Elizabeth is a licensed Speech & Language Pathologist and Clinical Director/Owner of Orange County Speech Services. She is certified member of the California Speech and Hearing Association, a lifelong resident of Southern California, and the mother of three beautiful children.
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Dana Simon
M.S., CCC-SLP (Speech Therapist)
Dana was born and raised in Southern California. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Utah State University and her Master of Science Degree in Communicative Disorders from California State University, Northridge.
Dana has worked with children since she was in high school when she was a camp counselor and later on, as a mommy and me teacher while she was earning her Bachelor's degree. She knew that her leadership skills shined when she got to work with both the children and their parents, enriching and teaching their overall emotional, behavioral, and social development.
Her favorite part of working with OC Speech is the joy she gets to share with parents when she sees a child reach his/her/their goals both in the clinic and at home! In her free time, Dana enjoys spending time with her husband and 2-year-old son.
Kayli Buckingham
A.S., SLPA (Speech Therapist)
Kayli Buckingham received her Associate of Science degree in speech-language pathology assisting from Orange Coast College in 2017 and has been working in the field since 2018. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science Degree in Communicative Disorders at Cal State University Fullerton and plans to pursue a Master of Science Degree in Communicative Disorders as well. Kayli has had previous experience as a behavioral interventionist and respite caregiver before starting her career as a speech-language pathology assistant. She has found a passion for early intervention therapy while working in the field and enjoys helping children strive to meet all their speech and language goals!
In her free time, she enjoys hiking, shopping, traveling to new states and countries, and spending time with family and friends.
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Ruth Jones
SLPA (Speech Therapist, ABA Specialist)
MS in Clinical Counseling, APCC/AMFT
Ruth Jones grew up in Washington State and moved to California, where she graduated from Biola University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and from Cerritos Community College with her Speech Language Pathology Assistant degree. She has worked with children with Autism, since 2003, as a behavior interventionist and supervisor, working in schools, clinics, and homes in the Long Beach and Los Angeles County School Districts. She specializes in ABA, DTT, and Floor Time. Her experience in speech therapy includes individual and group sessions, with client populations ranging from pediatrics to adulthood, covering area deficits such as the following: oral motor, articulation, phonology, fluency, comprehension, social skills, co-treatment with occupational therapy, and more.
In her spare time, she enjoys running, hiking, baking, and hanging out with family and friends.
Catherine Do
SLPA (Speech Therapist)
I was born in Arlington, Virginia and moved to California in junior high school. I received my Associate of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Assistant at OCC. I am currently enrolled at California State University, Long Beach to finish my undergrad and continue my education to achieve my goal in acquiring my master’s degree. Before discovering my true love for speech-language pathology, I worked as an early childhood instructor, trained in implementing ABA techniques, and gained valuable experience working with behavior intervention.
I enjoy working with all ages ranging from pediatrics, adolescence, and early-late adulthood in numerous settings including school-based, home therapy, and now in the clinic setting. My therapy style consists of child-directed, play-based intervention with my little kiddos and an emphasis on socializing and being active participants in their lives and in society with my older clients. I believe that every individual is unique and amazing and I learn from my clients just as much as they learn from me everyday. I am passionate about family/caregiver involvement combined with our multidisciplinary team and strive to work together to make a difference. During my free time I enjoy traveling the world, reading endlessly, cliff jumping into the ocean, and camping in nature.
Rochelle Odell
M.S., CCC-SLP (Speech Therapist)
Rochelle was born and raised in Orange County, California. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences from The George Washington University and a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorder from Chapman University.
Rochelle has been working with children since her early days as a student athlete. Her experiences as a student athlete throughout college have allowed her the opportunity to develop leadership skills required for working with children of all ages and abilities. She has experience working with children with a variety of diagnoses ranging from Autism to articulatory disorders. She values being a role model for children at OCSS and strives to make positive impacts in their lives.
In her free time, Rochelle loves to spend time with her family and friends. She recently became a mama herself and loves experiencing life through the eyes of her daughter. She loves all kinds of competition and will always say yes to a game night!
Hannah Blair
M.S., CCC-SLP (Speech Therapist)
Hannah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Biola University and her Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Longwood University in Virginia. Hannah has worked in hospitals, schools, and clinics with children and adults with complex medical conditions, communicative disorders, developmental disabilities, autism, language delay, articulation/phonological disorders, Down Syndrome, apraxia, dysarthria, aphasia, and dysphagia.
Hannah has special interests and additional trainings in early intervention for speech, language, and cognition, feeding and swallowing disorders, gestalt language processing, sensory integration, and child-led and neurodiversity affirming practices.
In her free time, she enjoys yoga, cooking, reading, being outdoors, and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Sharlyn Steyman
M.A., CCC-SLP (Speech Therapist)
Sharlyn was born locally in Fountain Valley and moved to the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan at the age of three. She is bilingual (fluent in English and Russian) and happy to offer speech therapy services in both languages. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English from Michigan State University and her Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Wayne State University. Throughout graduate school, she worked with children and adults from all walks of life with various communication disorders including Language Delay, Articulation/Phonological Disorders, Fluency Disorders, Traumatic Brain Injury, Aphasia, and Dysarthria. She really enjoyed the diversity of clinical experiences she was able to have in the heart of Detroit and surrounding areas.
Sharlyn especially loves working with children and started in high school as a piano and violin teacher. She continued on to work as a substitute teacher and phonics tutor after becoming certified in the Orton-Gillingham Literacy Approach. She also has additional interest and training in gestalt language processing, child-led and neurodiversity affirming practices, and early intervention. She is extremely passionate about helping children grow in their confidence as they acquire new communication skills. Sharlyn is so happy to be back to her California roots as a part of the team at OC Speech!
In her free time, she enjoys going for hikes at the beach, exercising, traveling, and most of all, basking in the California sunshine.
Iyah Alfankhri
M.S. CF-SLP (Speech Therapist)
Iyah was born in Nebraska, and grew up in Saudi Arabia. She moved to Tucson, Arizona and earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at the University of Arizona. While obtaining her undergraduate degree, she was a preschool teacher assistant, where she implemented activities to facilitate the development of speech, language, and social communication skills. She also participated in research and provided treatment to language delayed toddlers throughout her academic career.
Iyah has clinical experience treating pediatric and adult patients with various needs in the areas of speech sound production, language, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), fluency, social communication, feeding, and cognitive communication. She recently completed the Gestalt Language Processing Course and is trained to model language using the Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) framework. She is passionate about helping others and enjoys working with children!
In her free time, Iyah enjoys going to the beach, taking walks with friends, and traveling.
Ashley Ortiz
B.S., SLPA (Speech Therapist)
Ashley was born in San Diego, Ca, and grew up in a military family where her father served 20 years in the Navy. During that time, she was able to move to different areas in the country as well as living oversees in Sicily for 3 years.
She received a Bachelors of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Biola University. Before becoming a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant, she worked at an adult day program for people with special needs for many years. The program focused on life skills, developing independence and inclusion in the community. There she developed a passion to help advocate for people of all ages with special needs.
She has worked as a SLPA since 2017 in a multidisciplinary setting and has experience working with children 0-21 years and adults with a variety of disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disorders, Articulation and Phonological Disorders.
She is an active collaborator with the families she serves and the staff she works alongside. She enjoys individualizing her approach to meet every client’s unique needs. In addition to her background in speech and language Ashley has additional training in the areas of sensory strategies, behavioral interventions, multimodal communication, pragmatics, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She has worked with Proloquo2go,
TouchChat, GoTalk, LAMP, PECS, and SpeakForYourself. Ashley wants to help parents have a better understanding of what AAC can be and the many benefits it can potentially have on their child.
In her free time, Ashley enjoys roller skating with friends at the beach. She likes to develop new recipes in the kitchen and loves to cook them for others. She also enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Kelly Lopez
A.S., SLPA (Speech Therapist)
Kelly Lopez was born and raised in Southern California. Kelly obtained an Associate of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Assistant from Santa Ana College as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California Polytechnic University, Pomona. She is currently licensed in the State of California as a Speech and Language Pathology Assistant. Throughout her career, the passion Kelly has for helping others has been the highlight of her journey. She has worked with infants to high school-aged children in both a school and clinic setting.
In her spare time, Kelly enjoys reading, working in her garden, taking walks on the beach with friends, and traveling around the world.
Andrea Diaz
B.A., SLPA (Speech Therapist)
Andrea was born and raised in South Orange County, California. She is bilingual (fluent in English and Spanish) and happy to offer services in both English and Spanish. Andrea received a bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders and in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University of Fullerton. She also received an associate degree in Early Childhood Development from Saddleback College where she gained experience working at a Preschool on site.
During her undergraduate degree, Andrea volunteered at an outpatient pediatric clinic where she worked with a multidisciplinary team and various disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disorders, Articulation and Phonological Disorders. Soon after graduating, she has been working with children 0-17 years of age, and has broadened her therapy sessions through the use of movement, music, art, play, and sensory based activities. Andrea has plans to continue her education and receive her Master’s of Science degree in Communication Disorders.
In her free time, Andrea enjoys working out, exploring new restaurants, and traveling to new places with family and friends.
Occupational Therapists
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Hollie Fassnacht
B.S. COTA/L (Occupational Therapist)
Hollie Fassnacht has been working as a COTA since 2010. She has 13 years of experience in Pediatric Occupational Therapy and has been with Orange County Speech Services since 2013. Hollie has experience with school and clinic-based OT and now works exclusively in clinic-based intervention.
Hollie believes that the key to seeing success in the children she treats is to make sessions fun by customizing treatment plans to the child’s curiosities, sensory needs and disposition. A child who has their sensory needs met, is supported in exploring their environment and is nurtured to try new things (no matter how big or small) is a child that will grow and make progress.
Hollie has seen how children who attend Occupational Therapy and are part of the OCSS team become more confident in their own skin, start eating foods they have never tolerated before, communicate their needs, and make strides in remaining calm and regulated in order to participate in self-care tasks. Hollie has over 500 hundred hours of continuing education units and is Certified in Beckman Oral Motor Intervention, S.O.S. Pediatric Feeding Intervention (Sequential Oral Sensory), Handwriting Without Tears, The Astronaut Training Program (a sound activated vestibular and ocular coordination program) Torticollis Intervention, Pediatric Kinesio Taping, and Retained Reflex Integration Exercises.
Ariana LeBrun Collier
M.S., OTR/L (Occupational Therapist)
Assistant Clinical Director
Ariana received her Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Psychology and Spanish from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2008. After graduating, she began working with children providing ABA and parent training services working in homes, schools, and community-based settings. After doing this for several years, Ariana decided to pursue higher education to meet her clients’ and families’ needs more comprehensively. She received her Masters of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2016 from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Ariana’s passion for pediatrics stems from the creativity, excitement, and, at times, silliness involved in creating individualized treatment plans that motivate her clients. Caregiver involvement and ongoing education are central to her approach to therapy. She has experience with early intervention, routines-based intervention, sensorimotor-based feeding difficulties, and sensory processing disorders. Her continuing education has focused on Handwriting Without Tears, the SOS Approach to Feeding, Baby Led Weaning, and Sensory Processing Disorders.
Outside of work, Ariana values and enjoys time spent with her family, running, camping, and taking her dog on long walks to the park or beach.
Mary Kelley
M.S., OTR/L (Occupational Therapist)
Mary is from a big family in small town northwest of Chicago called Woodstock, Illinois. She graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2015 with a bachelors in Public Health and completed her masters in occupational therapy from Barry University in Miami Shores, FL.. She became interested in occupational therapy while working as a personal assistant to a graduate student who had muscular dystrophy at the University of Illinois. Throughout her time between undergraduate and graduate school, she volunteered at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) and the Veterans Affairs Hospital, which solidified her passion for pursuing a degree in occupational therapy.
Mary has experience working in various pediatric settings including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation working with both neurological and orthopedic patients, school-based therapy, and early intervention. She has clinical experience providing interventions in baby led weaning, sensory processing, motor development, and strength-based approaches to neurodiversity. Mary has a special interest in learning more about the brain and how it influences the way each of us experience the world and connect with one another.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, running, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
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Aryana Behmardian
M.S., OTR/L (Occupational Therapist)
Aryana was born in Atlanta, GA but became an Orange County local at the age of 6. She received her Bachelor’s in Health Science at California State University, Fullerton and immediately dove right into a Master’s program in Occupational Therapy at Stanbridge University. During her time there, she was involved in a life skills program for young adults with intellectual disabilities. She ran a financial literacy course and assisted them in cooking classes aimed at improving independent living.
After graduating in 2019, she immersed herself into the world of pediatrics, finding a deep passion in addressing foundational skills through cooking and meal preparation. She especially thrived in this area during the pandemic, where was able to treat kids via telehealth in their own kitchens. She finds immense therapeutic value in creating family memories while making delicious food!
In her free time, she enjoys beating her husband at Uno, taking her son on adventures and playing with her ferociously adorable labradoodle.
Brenda Ruiz
COTA/L (Occupational Therapist)
Brenda was born and raised in Anaheim, California. Brenda received her Associates of Science degree in Occupational Therapy at ACC in Orange County, CA . Brenda has an interest in the area of feeding therapy and has skills and strategies in both the SOS approach to feeding therapy and strategies in the Beckman Oral Motor program. Brenda has plans to continue her education by returning to school to get her Master of Science to become an OTR and continue to treat our pediatric OT patients. Brenda always knew she wanted a career in a pediatric setting and a career that involved helping others. She has a true passion for OT and loves working the kids and their families at OC Speech! In her free time Brenda enjoys going on hikes in nature and spending time with her family, younger siblings and cousins.
Physical Therapists
Kimberly Iacobazzi
DPT (Physical Therapist)
Kimberly was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, where she experienced physical therapy firsthand after a high school track injury. After intensive physical therapy, she went on to become a state champion track athlete. It was at that moment she knew she wanted to join the physical therapy profession. Kimberly received her B.S. in Kinesiology from San Diego State University in 2014 and went on to receive her Doctorate in physical therapy from Chapman University in 2017. Kimberly has fallen in love with the pediatric setting. She has worked with children from ages 0-21 years, with diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, spinal cord injury and muscular dystrophy. She has experience in clinic, early intervention, in-home, and school based models of pediatric physical therapy. Kimberly also has extensive experience in medical equipment, assessing, adjusting and ordering the appropriate device to allow her patients to be as independent and safe as possible. She emphasizes current evidence-based practice in all of her treatment plans and is committed to providing the highest standard of care for her patients, stressing family-centered care. Kimberly encourages caregiver involvement as often as possible to allow for children to achieve their optimal potential not only in the clinic, but also at home and in the community.
Kimberly enjoys spending her free time outdoors, practicing yoga, or volunteering at such organizations as Ability Ballet and Therapeutic Dance Intervention for Children with Cerebral Palsy.
Dana Williams
DPT (Physical Therapist)
Dana was born and raised in Burbank, California, where she cultivated an interest in athletics, sports medicine and the medical field. Combining these interests Dana received her B.S. in Kinesiology from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. While achieving this degree she worked as a physical therapy aide where she was first exposed to pediatric physical therapy. She went on to receive her Doctorate in physical therapy from Chapman University in 2021. During her time at Chapman University Dana spent many hours volunteering and completing research with a pediatric focus, specifically Cerebral Palsy. She has experience treating children 0-21 years with a variety of diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, and developmental delays. As a practitioner Dana thrives in a multidisciplinary clinic to treat the entire child while encouraging caregiver involvement. Outside of the clinic, Dana enjoys spending her time outdoors, crafting, and with her family and friends.
Sherilyn Baker
B.S., PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant)
Sherilyn was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California. After receiving physical therapy during her high school track season she knew that she wanted to change lives in this field. She was a collegiate heptathalete and recieved her bachelor's of science degree in Kinesiology from California State University, Long Beach. She went on to earn her degree and licensure as a Physical Therapy Assistant.
Sherilyn's time volunteering at Millers childrens hospital solidified her already strong passion for the pediatric population. She has an extensive background working with children with special needs and has experience working in hospital, school, and private clinic settings. She has found her passion is working in a multidisciplinary clinic, maximizing resources for each patients' highest level of development. Sherilyn has experience working with a range of diagnoses including autism, cerebral palsy, hypotonia, and muscular dystrophy. She strongly believes in family focused treatment, getting caregivers involved in each patients journey to reaching their goals, and play based therapy for her younger patients. Sherilyn approaches each treatment session with evidence based practice. All of these passions facilitate her patients' paths to becoming as independent as possible while reaching their full potential. Sherilyn thoroughly enjoys working at OC Speech Services where teamwork is used to make each patient's success the top priority.
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Office Administrators
Julia Marcial
Lead Administrative Assistant
Julia was born and raised in Long Beach. Growing up she always knew she wanted to help people in any way possible. In High School she was a youth leader for her church and started working in a medical office. Julia's background includes working in the medical field and spent 6 years working in an outpatient neurological physical therapy office.
On her spare time, Julia runs a small business on the weekends called Cookies by Julala. She loves supporting local small businesses. Julia loves cruising up and down the Pacific Coast Hwy. Exploring little cities along the way. Julia is family oriented and loves being around her nieces and nephews.
Julia joined the team in 2021 and is excited to meet and work with you all.
Ai Pham
Administrative Team Member
Ai was born and raised in Huntington Beach. She comes from a family of medical professionals. Her mom is a retired county nurse, brother is a dentist and sister is a pediatrician. Ai has been in the medical administration setting for 20+ years and thrives from seeing patients progress and get better.
Her spare time is dedicated to a garden sanctuary that houses a koi pond and a variety of exotic fruit trees. She is also a mother to an adorable rescue dog named Philly and two cats named Thunder and Moo.
Jamia "Mia" Hogan
Administrative Team Member
Jamia was born and raised in Lakewood, Ca. Growing up she loved kids and spent her free time babysitting and eventually became a part-time nanny while finishing high school. She spent the next 7 years working in the dental field on the administrative team, with the last two years working in an oral surgery office.
In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her husband and family. She enjoys going to concerts and sports games. She loves traveling and learning about culture, food, music, and language. Rainy days at home watching movies with her husband is what makes her truly happy.
Nicole Masero
B.A., Director of Finance
Nicole received a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Security and Conflict Resolution from San Diego State University. Nicole has worked in logistics, manufacturing, and health care in executive, finance, and business operations roles.
Nicole has dedicated countless hours and expertise working at Orange County Speech Services since 2015 and is a wealth of knowledge and support for the team. Nicole brings innovation and entrepreneurship to the company while daily managing financial and non-clinical operations. She is the mother of 3 beautiful children and enjoys time with her family and extended family.
